Frederick 'Selfie' Contest Promotes Downtown Businesses

Frederick 'Selfie' Contest Promotes Downtown Businesses

The Downtown Frederick Partnership put on a "selfie" contest encouraging locals and visitors to post a picture of themselves in downtown Frederick for a chance to win some money.

FREDERICK, Md. - "First Saturdays" just got a little more social-media friendly. The Downtown Frederick Partnership, an organization dedicated to promoting downtown Frederick, put on a "selfie" contest encouraging locals and visitors to post phots of themselves at their favorite downtown Frederick location.

"By bringing folks downtown and getting them excited about what Frederick has to offer, we're serving our businesses as well," said Stephen Colella, promotion and events manager for the Downtown Frederick Partnership.

The idea was brought on as a way to encourage people to actively participate in the Downtown Frederick lifestyle. It is a goal the partnership has been working towards for years. According to a study conducted by Davidson-Peterson Associates in 2009, the "First Saturdays" event series can rack in around $450,000 to downtown businesses each month.

"We've invited everyone to take a 'selfie' in downtown Frederick and upload it to their favorite social media network be it Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and from there, the most popular 'selfie' in terms of likes, comments, and shares will win the contest," said Colella.

The contest, which is completely social media based requires the hash-tag "Destination Frederick." Businesses also joined in on the fun, saying its an easy way to get involved and put your store on the map.

"Seventy-five percent of our business is as a result of social media. People follow us on Instagram and Facebook and that's how they keep in touch with what's going on in our shop," said Antonio Rico, owner of Citizen Frederick, a clothing store on East Patrick St.

The contest winner will be announced by the Downtown Frederick Partnership, Monday. The winner with receive a $25 downtown Frederick gift card that can be used at over 175 restaurants and shops in the downtown area.

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